Baby Rat Report: The Long Island Nursery Update
Alanna here, giving you today's baby rat update from the Long Island nursery. Things are progressing beautifully — and adorably.
Water Bottles and Sibling Rivalry
The most exciting development this week: the precocious ones have learned to use the water bottle. They have also learned to fight over the water bottle, which, honestly, is a more essential rat life skill. They will spend far more of their adult lives fighting over water bottles than actually drinking from them. I consider this a developmental milestone.
The Adult Rats Are Testing Me
The adult rats have also been testing my patience this week. They have developed a strong preference for the two smaller, more annoying-to-fill water bottles over the three large, easy-to-fill bottles I have provided for their convenience.
It is as if they know. They want to make more work for me. I respect the commitment to chaos.
The Cuteness Carries Us
Their overwhelming cuteness is genuinely what is getting me through the logistical challenges of caring for this many rats at once. I just want to snuggle them all day. I hope we can raise them all to be big, healthy, happy rats who go on to wonderful homes.
Send the babies your love — and the mommas your support. They are working very hard to care for all these little ones. 🐀💛